Novel immunogens and methods for discovery and screening thereof

ABSTRACT

The present application is generally directed to methods for identifying immunogens from organisms and pathogens, and in particular for identifying immunogens which when administered as vaccines elicit a cellular and/or humoral immune response. The present application is also directed to pneumococcal T-cell immunogens, and vaccine compositions comprising one or a combination of pneumococcal immunogens and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infections using the vaccines thereof. The present invention also encompasses use of the pneumococcal immunogens for diagnostic purposes to identify a subject with a pneumococcal infection.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application is generally directed to methods for identifying immunogens from organisms and pathogens, and in particular for identifying immunogens which when administered as vaccines elicit a cellular and/or humoral immune response. The present application is also directed to pneumococcal T-cell immunogens, and methods and compositions thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/634,357, which is a 35 U.S.C. §371 National Phase Entry Application of International Application No. PCT/US2011/028052 filed Mar. 11, 2011, which designates the U.S. and which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/428,296 filed Dec. 30, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/428,305, also filed Dec. 30, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/313,450 filed Mar. 12, 2010 the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirities.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy was created on Jun. 27, 2016, and is named Seq-List-701039-065966.txt and is 13,376 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Almost one million children in the developing world die of pneumococcal infections each year. Despite the effectiveness of the conjugate pneumococcal vaccines, problems with this approach remain including the expense of production and delivery, and resulting serotype replacement as demonstrated in several clinical trials and epidemiologic studies. One positive effect of the current capsular-based vaccines has been evident in the patient population that is not being vaccinated: herd immunity plays an impressive role in the current vaccine strategy. For each case of pneumococcal disease prevented in children, about three cases of pneumococcal disease are prevented in adults by herd immunity. In this context at least, prevention of pneumococcal colonization is a main goal of protein-based vaccine approaches, because blocking colonization will block disease.

Alternative pneumococcal vaccines that elicit serotype-independent immunity, and that maybe more readily available to economically emerging countries are needed urgently. New antigens that can address this need would be very attractive. Additionally, current methods to identify immunogens focus on techniques that do not fully optimize the extraction or identification of the full antigen repertoire. This is true in the case of pneumococcus as well as other pathogens. A method that can identify a new set of antigens has potential to be impactful for the development of vaccines for a wide set of pathogens, including pneumococcus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention provides for methods for identifying novel immunogens that when administered as vaccines elicit a cellular or humoral immunogenic response. In a particular embodiment, a method identified pneumococcal T-cell immunogens that elicit systemic IL-17A responses, and reduce or protect against pneumococcal colonization.

In one embodiment, protective immunogens are identified by killing an organism with an organic solvent. The organic solvent is removed, and the remaining materials re-hydrated in aqueous solution. This process releases various antigens in the liquid phase, which can then be harvested by centrifugation and collection of supernatants.

In another embodiment, the liquid phase is further size-fractionated, or separated by preparative SDS gel or other methods, following which individual fractions are evaluated for immune stimulation. The most promising fractions are then evaluated further to identify components. Component proteins can then be evaluated in combination or singly to determine which are the most immunogenic and protective.

Accordingly, the present approach identified pneumococcal T-cell immunogens that both induce a Th17-cell response and protect mice from colonization. These proteins, including SP0862, SP1534 and SP2070, show promise as vaccine candidates against colonization and sepsis. In some embodiments, the novel pneumococcal immunogens as disclosed herein e.g., as disclosed in Table 1, are administered by mucosal immunization, and can be optionally administered with an adjuvant, to reduce subsequent pneumococcal nasal colonization.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for obtaining an immunogen or immunogens from a pathogen, e.g., a bacteria, comprising the steps of: (i) killing a pathogen culture with a solvent, e.g., an organic solvent; (ii) removing the solvent; (iii) resuspending the killed pathogen, e.g., a bacteria, in aqueous solution; (iv) removing particulates from the aqueous solution to retain immunogens in the aqueous solution. In some embodiments, the pathogen is a bacteria, virus, fungi, or parasite. In some embodiments, the immunogen is a protein, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleic acid, or small molecule derived from the pathogen

In some embodiments, the method for obtaining an immunogen or immunogens from a pathogen further comprises the steps of: (v) isolating the proteins within the aqueous solution; and (vi) determining specific antibody or T-cell activity of the isolated antigens, in combination or each antigen individually (e.g., singly). In some embodiments, one can optionally determine specific antibody or T-cell activity of the isolated antigens (individually or in any combination) in the presence of an adjuvant and/or a vaccine scaffold.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for obtaining bacterial T-cell-stimulating immunogens comprising the steps of: (i) killing a bacterial culture with a solvent, e.g., an organic solvent; (ii) removing the solvent; (iii) resuspending the killed bacteria in aqueous solution; (iv) removing particulates from the aqueous solution to retain the T-cell immunogens in the aqueous solution. In some embodiments, such a method can optionally further comprise the steps of: (v) isolating the proteins within the aqueous solution; (vi) determining the Th17-cell inducing activity of the isolated proteins, in combination or each antigen individually (e.g., singly). In some embodiments, one can optionally determine specific Th17-cell inducing activity of the isolated antigens (individually or in any combination) in the presence of an adjuvant and/or a vaccine scaffold.

In all aspects of the methods of present invention, a pathogen or bacterial culture can be a culture of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

In all aspects of the methods of present invention, a solvent can be an organic solvent, for example, choloroform. In some embodiments the solvent is not alcohol, and in some embodiments, the alcohol is not ethanol.

In some embodiments, an immunogen is further prepared as a vaccine that reduces or protects a mammal against pneumococcal colonization. In some embodiments, such a vaccine can further comprise at least one adjuvant, e.g., selected from the group comprising, but not limited to cholera toxin, CFA, IFA, alum and others commonly known in the art and disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, a vaccine as disclosed herein can be administered to a subject mucosally. In all aspects of all embodiments as described herein, a subject is a mammalian subject, e.g., a human, however other subjects are contemplated such as domestic and agricultural animals and the like.

Other aspects of the present invention relate to a vaccine comprising at least one or a combination of immunogens of the pneumococcal proteins SP0862, SP1534, and SP2070, or functional fragments or proteins thereof having substantial identity.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for eliciting an immune response in a mammal comprising pneumococcal proteins SP0862, SP1534, and SP2070, or functional fragments or proteins thereof having substantial identity. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can further comprise an adjuvant.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to pharmaceutical composition for eliciting an immune response in a mammal comprising the T-cell stimulating immunogens prepared according to the methods as disclosed herein. In such embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can further comprise an adjuvant and/or a vaccine scaffold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows data from a stimulation of splenocytes with elutions from preparative SDS gel separation. The supernatant fraction (WCC sup) contains about 15% of total protein of whole cell vaccine killed by chloroform (WCC). Proteins in WCC sup were separated in a 4%-12% SDS gel and then eluted into fractions according to their mobility in the gel by a preparative SDS gel elution apparatus. Splenocytes from WCC immunized mice were stimulated with the same amount of protein from fraction 3 to 11 and their IL-17A production was measured by ELISA 3 days after stimulation.

FIG. 2 shows gels from the purification of individual proteins from E. coli. Proteins were cloned into competent E. coli cells using the pQE-30 plasmid; transformants were verified by sequencing. Proteins were expressed in successful transformants and pelleted. After lysing by sonication, his-tagged proteins in the cell lysis supernatant were purified over an agarose-Ni column. Eluted proteins were then desalted over a PD10 column and again purified by size exclusion gel filtration. Representative proteins are depicted on Coomassie stained SDS-PAGE gels.

FIG. 3 shows data from the stimulation of IL-17A production by purified proteins. Twelve proteins (SP435, SP516, SP862, SP946, SP1297, SP1415, SP1458, SP1538, SP1572, SP1733, SP2070 and SP2092 were selected from all of the proteins identified by Mass spectroscopy (see table 1) and cloned into and purified from E. coli. Splenocytes from WCC immunized mice (n=10) were stimulated with 10 μg/ml of each protein and IL-17A production was measured 6 days after stimulation. Bars represent median values for each stimulus. Each animal's IL-17A response to stimulation with DMEM media was considered background, and was therefore subtracted from the IL-17A values from protein stimuli.

FIG. 4A-4B shows data on protection against colonization by intranasal immunization with a mixture of proteins. A mixture of 4 μg/ml of each SPN0435, SPN1534 and SPN2070 (CHB mix) was used to immunize mice twice one week apart with 1 μg of cholera toxin (CT) as adjuvant. Mice immunized with CT alone or a whole cell pneumococcal preparation with CT (WCB) constituted negative and positive controls, respectively. Blood was taken 3 weeks after second immunization. FIG. 4A shows IL-17A production in vitro was determined in the blood samples incubated 6 days with pneumococcal whole-cell antigen. FIG. 4B shows that mice were challenged intranasally with serotype 6B strain 0603 four weeks post-immunization, and the density of pneumococcal colonization was determined 7 days later by plating dilutions of nasal washes.

FIG. 5 shows protection against colonization by individual proteins in C57Bl/6 mice. Immunization and challenge schedule was the same as in FIG. 4. NP colonization density was compared by the Mann-Whitney U test or by the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's correction for multiple comparisons using PRISM. *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01.

FIG. 6 shows protection against colonization by individual proteins in outbred CD1 mice. Immunization and challenge schedule was the same as in FIG. 4. NP colonization density was compared by the Mann-Whitney U test or by the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's correction for multiple comparisons using PRISM. *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01.

FIG. 7 shows data from stimulation of exposed mice with individual SP proteins and protection against colonization by individual proteins in CD1 mice. Immunization and challenge schedule was the same as prior. NP colonization density was compared by the Mann-Whitney U test or by the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's correction for multiple comparisons using PRISM. *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01, ***, p<0.001. 2070, 1534, 0862 are all SP gene numbers. 3CHB refers to the combination of SP 2070, SP 1534, SP 0862. WCV is the whole cell vaccine which serves as a positive control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, and reagents, etc., described herein and as such may vary. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims.

DEFINITIONS

The term “adjuvant” as used herein refers to any agent or entity which increases the antigenic response by a cell or a subject to a target antigen.

As used herein, the term “pathogen” refers to an organism or molecule that causes a disease or disorder in a subject. For example, pathogens include but are not limited to viruses, fungi, bacteria, parasites and other infectious organisms or molecules therefrom, as well as taxonomically related macroscopic organisms within the categories algae, fungi, yeast and protozoa or the like.

As used herein, the term “prokaryotic pathogen” refers to a bacterial pathogen.

As used herein, the term “viral pathogen” refers to a virus that causes illness or disease, such as HIV.

As used herein, the term “parasitic pathogen” refers to a microorganism that is parasitic, residing for an extended period inside a host cell or host organism, that gains benefits from the host and at the same time causes illness or disease. A parasitic pathogen can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and protists.

The term “functional fragment” as used in the context of a functional fragment of an immunogen of protein “x” (e.g., an immunogen listed Table 1) refers to a fragment of such a protein or peptide that mediates, effects or elicits a cellular and/or humoral immune response as similar to the protein or peptide from which it was derived.

A “fragment” of an antigen or immunogen of Table 1 as that term is used herein will be at least 15 amino acids in length, and can be, for example, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20 or at least 25 amino acids or greater.

The term “Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte” or “CTL” refers to lymphocytes which induce apoptosis in targeted cells. CTLs form antigen-specific conjugates with target cells via interaction of TCRs with processed antigen (Ag) on target cell surfaces, resulting in apoptosis of the targeted cell. Apoptotic bodies are eliminated by macrophages. The term “CTL response” is used to refer to the primary immune response mediated by CTL cells.

The term “cell mediated immunity” or “CMI” as used herein refers to an immune response that does not involve antibodies or complement but rather involves the activation of macrophages, natural killer cells (NK), antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (T-cells), and the release of various cytokines in response to a target antigen. Stated another way, CMI refers to immune cells (such as T cells and lymphocytes) which bind to the surface of other cells that display the antigen (such as antigen presenting cells (APS)) and trigger a response. The response can involve either other lymphocytes and/or any of the other white blood cells (leukocytes) and the release of cytokines. Accordingly, cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is an immune response that does not involve antibodies but rather involves the activation of macrophages and NK-cells, the production of antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and the release of various cytokines in response to an antigen. Cellular immunity protects the body by: (i) activating antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) that are able to destroy body cells displaying epitopes of foreign antigen on their surface, such as virus-infected cells, cells with intracellular bacteria, and cancer cells displaying tumor antigens; (2) activating macrophages and NK cells, enabling them to destroy intracellular pathogens; and (3) stimulating cells to secrete a variety of cytokines that influence the function of other cells involved in adaptive immune responses and innate immune responses. Without wishing to be bound by theory and by way of background, the immune system was separated into two branches: humoral immunity, for which the protective function of immunization could be found in the humor (cell-free bodily fluid or serum) and cellular immunity, for which the protective function of immunization was associated with cells.

The term “immune cell” as used herein refers to any cell which can release a cytokine in response to a direct or indirect antigenic stimulation. Included in the term “immune cells” herein are lympocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells, T-cells (CD4+ and/or CD8+ cells), B-cells, macrophages and monocytes, Th cells; Th1 cells; Th2 cells; Tc cells; stromal cells; endothelial cells; leukocytes; dendritic cells; macrophages; mast cells and monocytes and any other cell which is capable of producing a cytokine molecule in response to direct or indirect antigen stimulation. Typically, an immune cell is a lymphocyte, for example a T-cell lymphocyte.

As used herein and in the claims, the singular forms include the plural reference and vice versa unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients or reaction conditions used herein should be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.”

As used herein, the term “comprising” means that other elements can also be present in addition to the defined elements presented. The use of “comprising” indicates inclusion rather than limitation.

The term “consisting of” refers to compositions, methods, and respective components thereof as described herein, which are exclusive of any element not recited in that description of the embodiment.

As used herein the term “consisting essentially of” refers to those elements required for a given embodiment. The term permits the presence of elements that do not materially affect the basic and novel or functional characteristic(s) of that embodiment of the invention.

All patents and other publications identified are expressly incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the methodologies described in such publications that might be used in connection with the present invention. These publications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents is based on the information available to the applicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although any known methods, devices, and materials may be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the methods, devices, and materials in this regard are described herein.

Antigen Discovery Method

Two approaches proposed thus far to expand pneumococcal vaccination are based on protein subunit vaccines composed of purified pneumococcal antigens and/or on killed whole cell vaccines such as a whole cell vaccine (WCV) candidate.

Work on the pneumococcal whole cell vaccine candidate (WCV) has included transition towards GMP grade production. During this process, organic solvents were explored as an alternative to ethanol killing. It was discovered, surprisingly, that WCV killed with chloroform (WCC) was 100 1000× more potent than the ethanol-killed WCV. Additionally, when lyophilized WCC was reconstituted and spun down, the supernatant alone was highly protective in an animal colonization model. This lead to the hypothesis that the use of chloroform, which simply sublimates away during freezing and lyophilization, maintained soluble protective proteins of the WCV that were otherwise washed away after ethanol killing. The proteins in the WCC supernatant that contributed to its immunogenicity and protective capacities were then further characterized.

Thus, the present invention provides for methods for identifying antigenic candidates for vaccines. First, possible protective antigens are identified by killing a pathogen (e.g., an infectious bacteria such as pneumococcus or an infectious virus such as influenza) with one or more solvents, or organic solvents.

In some embodiments, suitable solvents include, among others, common solvents used in biological purification procedures, such as chloroform or trichloroethylene, TCE. Accordingly, in some embodiments, solvent is an organic solvent. The term “organic solvent” is an art recognized term and generally refers to a solvent which belongs to the group of organic compounds and is generally used for the dissolution of organic materials. Organic solvents include, but are not limited to, hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbon, esters, ethers, halohydrocarbons, amines, amides, alkanolamides, ureas, alcholols, glycols, polyhydric alcohols, glycol ethers, glycol ether esters, and mixed solvents of two or more thereof.

Exemplary organic solvents include, but are not limited to, without limitation, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2-butanone, Acetamide MEA (Witco Corporation, Greenwich, Conn.), acetone, acetonitrile, and n-methyl pyrrolidone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, chloroform, cycloheptane, cyclohexane, cyclopentane, decane, dibutyl ether, dichlorobenzenes, dichloroethanes, 1,2-dichloroethane, dichloromethane (DCM), diethanolamine, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diglyme (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether), diglycerol, 1,2-dimethoxy-ethane (glyme, DME), dimethylether, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dioxane, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dodecane, ethanolamine, ethyl acetate, ethyl propionate, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, formic acid, glycerin, glycerol, heptane, Hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA), hexamethylphosphorotriamide (HMPT), hexane, isopropanol, methanol, methyl acetate, methul t-butyl ether (MTBE), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl propionate, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylurea, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), nitromethane, n-butanol, octane, pentane, petroleum ether (ligorine), polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, pyridine, propylene glycol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, Schercomid AME-70 (Scher Chemicals, Inc., Clifton, N.J.), sorbitol, squalane, diethyl ether, t-butyl alcohol, tetrachloroethanes, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrofuran (THF), thiourea, toluene, trichloroethanes, triethanolamine, triethylene glycol, triglycerol, urea, xylene (o-, m- or p-), γ-butyrolactam, and mixture of two or more thereof. Other examples of organic solvents can be found, for example, in McCutcheon's Volume 2: Functional Materials, North American Edition (The Manufacturing Confectioner Publishing Co., 2006) and Vogel's Practical Organic Chemistry (Prentice Hall, 5^(th) ed., 1996), content of both which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Other solvents which can be used include, but are not limited, to ester solvents such as methyl laurate, isopropyl laurate, isopropyl palmitate, isostearyl palmitate, methyl oleate, isopropyl oleate, butyl oleate, methyl linoleate, isobutyl linoleate, ethyl linoleate, isopropyl isostearate, methyl soybean oil, isobutyl soybean oil, methyl tallate, isobutyl tallate, di-isopropyl adipate, di-isopropyl sebacate, diethyl sebacate, propylene glycol monocaprate, trimethylolpropane tri-2-ethylhexanoate and glyceryl tri-2-ethylhexanoate; alcohol solvents such as isomyristyl alcohol, isopalmityl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol and oleyl alcohol; higher fatty acid solvents such as isononanoic acid, isomyristic acid, hexadecanoic acid, isopalmitic acid, oleic acid and isostearic acid; and ether solvents such as diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, and propylene glycol dibutyl ether can be employed.

In some embodiments, the solvent is not an alcohol. Preferably, the solvent is not ethanol.

The organic solvent or solvents can be removed by methods known in the art to evaporate or sublime organic fractions in mixtures, e.g., by lyophilyzation. The remaining materials are re-hydrated by adding water or other suitable aqueous solution. This process releases various antigens in the liquid phase, which can then be harvested by any methods common in the art, for example, by centrifugation or other phase separation techniques, and collection of supernatants. Additionally, various antigens that are not released in the liquid phase may be extracted by treatment of the remaining centrifuged portion with extraction techniques such as application of organic solvents, acids or bases, re-precipitation techniques, physical homogenization and/or separation, further fraction dispersion techniques, or other methods known in the art to fractionate and isolate components of solid centrifuged masses.

This method has led to surprising and important results. In the case of pneumococci, the soluble fraction of the chloroform killed bacterial preparation was one-hundred-times more protective than preparation in which the soluble fraction was washed away. Without being bound by theory, killing with chloroform or a similar solvent may uncover protective antigens that have not been identified when more traditional killing techniques (e.g., heat, ethanol, formalin), are used. Importantly, this process may be superior to more traditional techniques due to the preservation of antigens in the working mixtures. For example, it is likely that some antigens are washed away during processes that require an early supernatant washing step such as ethanol killing. It is also probable that techniques based on temperature, such as heat killing, may induce denaturation or aggregation of some antigens. Further, chemicals such as formalin have undesirable properties such as crosslinking and aggregating biological macromolecules. The present method herein maintains fractions in common solvents, e.g., organic solvents, and thus may avoid some of these potential issues.

Importantly, this method is not based on the mode of immunogenicity of the molecules identified. Therefore, the method allows for the isolation and identification of any type of microbial biological molecule that might elicit an immune response, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, or small molecules. Any of these types of macromolecules that are not removed with the original organic solvent have the potential to serve as novel antigens. This method is also agnostic to the normal organismal location of the molecule, and therefore allows for identification of antigens that are external (e.g. surface expressed, secreted, etc.), internal (e.g. cytoplasmic, organelle-associated, etc.), membrane bound, or capsular (associated with pathogen encapsulation layer).

Additionally, this method is not based on specific pathogen characteristics, and therefore has broad applicability to various pathogens. For example, the present method may be used to identify novel antigens from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Non-limiting examples of the antigen discovery method of the present invention includes identifying antigens from pathogenic bacteria and viruses including Staphylococci (including MRSA), Streptococci species (including Group A and B), Brucella, Enterococci species; Listeria, Bacillus (including anthrax), Corynebacteria, Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrheae, Moraxella, typeable or nontypeable Haemophilus, Haemophilus nontypeable, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and others, Salmonella typhi, non-typhi Salmonella, Shigella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, E. coli, Clostridia, Bacteroides, Chlamydiaceae, Mycoplasma, Legionella, Treponemes, Borrelia, Candida or other yeast or other fungi, Plasmodium, Amoeba, herpes viruses, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, influenza, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, or hemorrhagic viruses.

In some embodiments, the methods as disclosed herein can be used to identify novel immunogens and antigens from viral, bacterial, parasitic, and tumor associated antigens. In some embodiments, preferred viral antigens include proteins from any virus where a cell-mediated immune response is desired. In some embodiments, the methods as disclosed herein can be used to identify immunogens and antigens from viruses such as HIV-1, HIV-2, hepatitis viruses (including hepatitis B and C), Ebola virus, West Nile virus, and herpes virus such as HSV-2, or bacterial antigens, e.g., from S. typhi and Mycobacteria (including M. tuberculosis). In some embodiments, the methods as disclosed herein can be used to identify novel parasitic immunogens and antigens, including those from Plasmodium (including P. falciparum). An antigen can also include, for example, pathogenic peptides, toxins, toxoids, subunits thereof, or combinations thereof (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria toxoid, cholera subunit B, etc.).

In some embodiments, the methods as disclosed herein can be used to identify novel immunogens and antigens associated with a pathology, for example an infectious disease or pathogen, or cancer or an immune disease such as an autoimmune disease.

In some embodiments, the methods as disclosed herein can be used to identify novel immunogens and antigens from a whole virus or an attenuated virus, where an attenuated virus is a non-live or inactive virus.

Plotkin and Mortimer (1994) provide antigens which can be used to vaccinate animals or humans to induce an immune response specific for particular pathogens, as well as methods of preparing antigen, determining a suitable dose of antigen, assaying for induction of an immune response, and treating infection by a pathogen (e.g., bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite).

Target bacteria for use in the methods as disclosed herein include, but are not limited to: anthrax, campylobacter, cholera, diphtheria, enterotoxigenic E. coli, giardia, gonococcus, Helicobacter pylori (Lee and Chen, 1994), Hemophilus influenza B, Hemophilus influenzanon-typable, meningococcus, pertussis, pneumococcus, salmonella, shigella, Streptococcus B, group A Streptococcus, tetanus, Vibrio cholerae, yersinia, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas species and Clostridia species.

Target viruses for use in the methods as disclosed herein include, but are not limited to: adenovirus, dengue serotypes 1 to 4 (Delenda et al., 1994; Fonseca et al., 1994; Smucny et al., 1995), ebola (Jahrling et al., 1996), enterovirus, hepatitis serotypes A to E (Blum, 1995; Katkov, 1996; Lieberman and Greenberg, 1996; Mast, 1996; Shafara et al., 1995; Smedila et al., 1994; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,314,808 and 5,436,126), herpes simplex virus 1 or 2, human immunodeficiency virus (Deprez et al., 1996), influenza, Japanese equine encephalitis, measles, Norwalk, papilloma virus, parvovirus B19, polio, rabies, rotavirus, rubella, rubeola, vaccinia, vaccinia constructs containing genes coding for other antigens such as malaria antigens, varicella, and yellow fever.

Target parasites for use in the methods as disclosed herein include, but are not limited to: Entamoeba histolytica (Zhang et al., 1995); Plasmodium (Bathurst et al., 1993; Chang et al., 1989, 1992, 1994; Fries et al., 1992a, 1992b; Herrington et al., 1991; Khusmith et al., 1991; Malik et al., 1991; Migliorini et al., 1993; Pessi et al., 1991; Tam, 1988; Vreden et al., 1991; White et al., 1993; Wiesmueller et al., 1991), Leishmania (Frankenburg et al., 1996), Toxoplasmosis, and the Helminths.

In some embodiments, the methods as disclosed herein can be used to identify antigens and immunogens used in biological warfare, e.g., ricin and anthrax, for which protection can be achieved via antibodies.

In one embodiment, the methods as disclosed herein can be used to identify antigens and immunogens which are an intracellular pathogen. A pathogen is a microorganism capable of causing damage to the host. An intracellular pathogen is a microorganism that can gain entry into the interior of a cell, live inside host cells and cause damage to the host and/or host cells. For example, the pathogen can be phagocytosed and/or endocytosed by a host cell, followed by the pathogen's escape from the phagosome or endosome. The pathogen then resides intracellularly to evade other/subsequent host defense, such as antibodies, and to multiply. Phagocytosis by macrophages is a primary frontline host defense mechanism against pathogens. When a pathogen fails to escape from the phagosome or endosome, the phagocytosed or engulfed pathogen is digested by the enzymes coming from the lysosomes. The digested, smaller peptides derived from pathogen proteins are complexed with host cell MHC molecules and displayed extracellularly to other immune cells in the host so as to stimulate the immune system of the host to respond to that particular pathogen. Intracellular pathogens include but are not limited to viruses, certain bacteria and certain protozoa. They cause a range of human diseases and ailments: tuberculosis, leprosy, typhoid fever, bacillary dysentery, plague, brucellosis, pneumonia, typhus; Rocky Mountain spotted fever, chlamydia, trachoma, gonorrhea, Listeriosis, scarlet/rheumatic fever, “strep” throat, hepatitis, AIDS, congenital viral infections, mononucleosis, Burkitts lymphoma and other lymphoproliferative diseases, cold sores, genital herpes, genital warts, cervical cancer, leishmaniasis, malaria, and trypanosomiasis to name but a few.

In one embodiment, the methods as disclosed herein can be used to identify antigens and immunogens from a prokaryotic pathogen, e.g., a prokaryotic pathogen is a bacterium. In one embodiment, the intracellular prokaryotic pathogen includes but not limited to Myocobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Yersinia pestis, Brucella species, Legionella pneumophila, Rickettsiae, Chlamydia, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococcus aureus, Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus influenzae, Treponema pallidum, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cryptosporidium parvum, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, and Neisseria meningitides Leishmania donovanii, Plasmodium species, Pneumocystis carinii, Trypanosoma species, P. falciparum, Plasmodimn sporozoites, which leads to malaria.

In one embodiment, the methods as disclosed herein can be used to identify antigens and immunogens from a viral pathogen, e.g., which includes but is not limited to Herpes simplex virus type-1, Herpes simplex virus type-2, HBV, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Varicella-zoster virus, Human herpes virus 6, Human herpes virus 7, Human herpes virus 8, Variola virus, Vesicular stomatitis virus, Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Hepatitis D virus, Hepatitis E virus, poliovirus, Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, Influenza virus A, Influenza virus B. Measles virus, Polyomavirus, Human Papilomavirus, Respiratory syncytial virus, Adenovirus, Coxsackie virus, Dengue virus, Mumps virus, Poliovirus, Rabies virus, Rous sarcoma virus, Yellow fever virus, Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Lassa fever virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, Japanese Encephalitis virus, St. Louis Encephalitis virus, Murray Valley fever virus, West Nile virus, Rift Valley fever virus, Rotavirus A, Rotavirus B. Rotavirus C, Sindbis virus, Rabies virus, Human T-cell Leukemia virus type-1, Hantavirus, Rubella virus and Simian Immunodeficiency virus.

In one embodiment, the methods as disclosed herein can be used to identify antigens and immunogens from tumor cells, as many tumors are associated with the expression of a particular protein and/or the over-expression of certain proteins. In such an embodiment where the antigen is a tumor antigen, a tissue sample, e.g., cancer biopsy sample can be added to the solvent. For example, prostate cancer is associated with elevated levels of protein such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). Breast cancers can be associated with the expression and/or over-expression of protein such as Her-2, Muc-1, CEA, etc. Thus, considerable attention has been aimed at trying to generate immune responses to such antigens in the treatment of such malignancies. Tumors with tumor antigens include those epitopes which are recognized in eliciting T cell responses, including but not limited to the following: prostate cancer antigens (such as PSA, PSMA, etc.), breast cancer antigens (such as HER2/neu, mini-MUC, MUC-1, HER2 receptor, mammoglobulin, labyrinthine, SCP-1, NY-ESO-1, SSX-2, N-terminal blocked soluble cytokeratin, 43 kD human cancer antigens, PRAT, TUAN, Lb antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, polyadenylate polymerase, p53, mdm-2, p21, CA15-3, oncoprotein 18/stathmin, and human glandular kallikrein), melanoma antigens, and the like.

As disclosed herein, the present unique method has identified novel T-cell antigens to pneumococci. Accordingly, the methods as disclosed herein can be particularly useful for antigen discovery in pathogens that require T-cell in addition to B-cell response. Therefore, pathogen targets of the present invention include those known or discovered to require T-cell or more specifically Th17 cell activity, including S. aureus, C. trichomatis, M tuberculosis, viruses such as Herpes simplex virus, and others.

In order to confirm immunogenicity of the novel fractions, the liquid fraction can then be size-fractionated or separated by preparative SDS gel or other methods, following which individual fractions are evaluated for immune stimulation in a variety of assays. Example assays include those to directly measure antibody or T-cell responses, such as ELISA assays, cell sorting procedures, neutralization assays, or others known in the art. Additionally, it is potentially useful to monitor production of markers or secretions of cell-types, such as cytokines. Example assays include T cell assays, such as elicitation of IL-17A from immune animals, or the monitoring of other cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IL-4, etc., that can identify those fractions to which antibodies from immune animals bind strongly. The most-promising fractions may then be evaluated further to identify components, e.g., by mass spectroscopy or other techniques. Proteins can then be evaluated singly to determine which are immunogenic and protective. Since the separation isolation method of invention can be flexibly coupled to the immune system endpoints above, the method of the invention is useful to identify antigens that can be immunogenic in a variety of ways, including T-cell effector subtypes, antibody responses, or other adaptive or innate immune mechanisms.

The unique method has identified novel pneumococcal antigens, and demonstrates the utility of the approach to uncover novel immunogens from well-studied pathogens.

Novel Pneumococcal Antigens

One mechanism of protection against pneumococcal colonization has been elucidated with a WCV candidate that confers protection against both colonization and invasive disease in mice. (Malley et al., 69 Infect. Immun. 4870-73 (2001); Malley et al., 74 Infect. Immun. 4290-92 (2004).). Protection against colonization following immunization with WCV is antibody-independent and dependent on CD4+ T cells (Malley et al., 102 P.N.A.S. USA 102, 4848-53 (2005); Trzcinski et al., 73 Infect. Immun. 7043-46 (2005)). The effector T cell is the CD4+ TH17 cell: neutralization of IL-17A with anti IL-17A antibodies diminishes protection by the WCV and Il-17A receptor knockout mice are not protected by the WCV. In contrast, IFN-gamma or IL-4 deficient mice (which are skewed away from THI or TH2 responses, respectively) are fully protected (Lu et al., 4 PLoS Pathogens. e1000159 (2008)). Rats and mice immunized with the WCV are also significantly protected against pneumococcal sepsis in two pneumonia models (Malley et al., 2001).

This unique, sequential method described above has herein identified novel pneumococcal T-cell antigens. These antigens, administered as mucosal vaccines with a cholera toxin adjuvant, elicit systemic IL17A and reduce or protect against intranasal pneumococcal colonization. More specifically, SPN2070 was completely protective. Both SPN0862 and SPN1534, although not fully protective, significantly reduced colonization.

It is feasible that a pneumococcal protein subunit vaccine would contain several antigens and/or be formulated with different or novel adjuvants, or incorporated in vaccine scaffolds, such as a fusion-conjugate (e.g., a fusion with a pneumolysoid and conjugation to a polysaccharide as proposed in Lu et al, Infection and Immunity, 2009) to improve immunogenicity and facilitate different routes of administration. Accordingly, a composition comprising at least 2, or at least about 3, or at least about 4, or at least about 5, or at least about 6, or at least about 7, or at least about 8, or at least about 9, or at least about 10, or at least about 12, or at least about 14, or at least about 16, or at least about 18, or at least about 20, or at least about 25, or any integer between about 2 and about 26 different antigens or more that 25 different antigens can be used, alone or in combination with an adjuvant and/or vaccine scaffold, such as a polysaccharide can be used.

Several eluates with robust stimulatory potential were identified from the method applied to pneumococcus, yielding WCC. Of the fourteen eluates collected representing separation of the WCC supernatant, the nine eluates containing clear protein bands were used as stimuli. Several eluates clearly emerged as having higher potential to elicit Th17 cell activation. Data from these stimulations are depicted in FIG. 1. The predominant band(s) of the most stimulatory eluates (such as 9 and 10) were submitted for mass spectroscopy analysis.

Mass spectroscopy identified multiple proteins within each band (range 13-23), but with some overlap in adjacent eluates. A compilation of data from mass spectroscopy analysis was used to generate a table of over forty proteins that were contained within the stimulatory WCC supernatant eluates which are listed in Table 1). Based on clinical safety criteria such as lack of human homology and conservation across all twenty-two sequenced pneumococcal strains, this panel was narrowed to twelve proteins. These proteins were then expressed and purified in an E. coli expression system. Protein gels of the purified proteins yielded single bands (FIG. 2) demonstrating successful purification.

TABLE 1 Proteins identified by mass spectroscopy within protein bands of stimulatory eluates. Pneumococcal T-cell antigens with multiple GI numbers were identified in multiple adjacent bands. Number of peptide matches refers to the number of unique peptide matches for a given protein within a sample. (Identifying >2 peptide matches confers a confident protein match). Number Homology w/ TIGR4 peptide human E. coli Antigen GI number Proposed function matches Publications peptides Homology Location Stimulatory eluate 6 (3/11 and 3/18 eluates submitted) SP0499 57014092 Phosphoglycerate 14 and 3  45% hum hom Cytosolic 46576835 kinase 2 SP1128 122278628 Phosphopyruvate 13 and 9  Ling et al. ++ (hum hom) 29839238 hydratase (enolase) 1 and 1 SP1489 57015312 Translation elongation 11 and 10 30-40% hum Cytosolic factor Tu hom 54040967 4 and 4 26006962 2 and 2 SP0862 149021729 30S ribosomal protein 4 and 4 Touanemen None 33% Cytosolic 157149853 S1 2 and 1 (microarray expression analysis) SP2070 31076701 glucose-6-phosphate 3 and 2 Ling et al. None 25% Cytosolic 157149825 isomerase 1 and 1 116248080 1 and 1 SP1666 149021240 cell division protein 3 and 1 None Cytosolic 157150730 FtsZ 2 and 2 SP1508 118573765 ATP synthase subunit B 1 and 1 53% hum hom 157151073 1 and 1 SP0375 157150360 6-phospho-gluconate 1 and 3 40% hum hom Surface dehydrogenase SP0281 Amino-peptidase 1 Ling et al. None Cytosolic Stimulatory eluate 10 SP1572 149022042 non-heme iron- 3 See Zhu None 26% Cytosolic containing ferritin (PppA) SP1297 149019295 flavodoxin 2 None None 28% Cytosolic SP0225 81775698 50s ribosomal protein 1 None 46% Cytosolic SP0221 50401285 50s ribosomal protein 1 None 58% Cytosolic SP2007 157150102 Transcription anti- 1 None 36% Cytosolic 149020768 termination factor 1 NusG SP1540 73919454 single-strand DNA- 1 None 30% Cytosolic binding protein SP1583 149022052 isochorismatase family 1 None 36% Cytosolic protein Stimulatory eluate 8 (4/23 eluate submitted) SP 0605 61218411 Fructose-bisphosphate 8 None Cytosolic aldolase SP1534 54041722 putative manganese- 5 U.S. Pat. None  0% Cytosolic 73921762 dependent inorganic 1 No. 10/567,570 pyrophosphatase antibiotic SP2012 157151535 glyceraldehyde-3- 4 >40% hum Cytosolic 81175319 phosphate 3 hom dehydrogenase SP2215 61215772 30S ribosomal protein 3 50% Cytosolic S2 SP1458 149019403 thioredoxin reductase 2 U.S. Pat. None 36% Surface No. 10/567,570; Hermans: gene expression SP1735 33516864 methionyl-tRNA 2 None 41% Cytosolic formyltransferase SP0946 149019536 hypothetical protein 1 None None 0 Cytosolic SP1220 118601094 L-lactate 1 38% hum hom Surface dehydrogenase SP2092 81170781 UTP-glucose-1- 1 US Pat. None 44% Surface phosphate uridylyl Serial transferase No. 10/552,156; US Pat. Serial No. 10/567,570 SP2210 149020129 cysteine synthase 1 <10% hum 44% Cytosolic hom Stimulatory eluate 9 (combined 3/18-24 eluate) SP1415 15901269 N-acetylgluco-samine- 7 See <10% hum 32% Cytosolic 6-phosphate isomerase Hendriksen hom et al., CodY paper SP1574 15901416 triosephosphate 5 +++ (hum isomerase hom) SP0421 15900340 3-ketoacyl-(acyl- 5 >40% hum carrier-protein) hom reductase SP1655 15901490 Phosphoglyceromutase 4 +++ (hum hom) SP0516 15900430 heat shock protein 4 See None 28% Cytosolic GrpE Hendriksen et al. SP0435 15900353 elongation factor P 3 US Pat. None 33% Cytosolic Appl No. US2007/0184443 A1 SP1733 15901565 phosphatase, putative 3 None None 0 Cytosolic SP1572 15901415 non-heme iron- 3 See eluate 10 containing ferritin SP0427 15900346 acetyl-CoA carboxylase 3 None 46% Cytosolic alpha subunit SP0945 15900824 ribosome releasing 2 None 45% Cytosolic factor SP0215 15900151 30S ribosomal protein S3 SP1776 15901605 thioredoxin 34% hum hom Cytosolic

Immunogenic purified proteins were next identified by determining which purified proteins elicited the highest IL-17A response from splenocytes of WCC immunized mice, thus prioritizing the antigens that would move into animal immunization models. As shown in FIG. 3, several proteins met this criterion (SPN2070 (SEQ ID NO: 10; SEQ ID NO: 11), SPN1534 (SEQ ID NO: 28; SEQ ID NO: 29), SPN0435 (SEQ ID NO: 44) and SPN0862 (SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9)). Though not meeting the self-imposed criterion, and thus not tested for protection, SPN516 (SEQ ID NO: 43), SPN862 (SEQ ID NO: 8 and 9), SPN946 (SEQ ID NO: 35), SPN1297 (SEQ ID NO: 20), SPN1415 (SEQ ID NO: 38), SPN1458 (SEQ ID NO: 33), SPN1572 (SEQ ID NO: 19), and SPN1733 (SEQ ID NO: 35) were also identified as novel pneumococcal antigens able to elicit immunogenic responses. Additionally, the protein SPN2092 showed minimal stimulatory potential; as a protein expressed and purified by the same process, this protein would become a representative negative control in an immunization model.

This animal model of identifying pneumococcal antigens which elicited the highest IL-17A response from splenocytes of WCC immunized mice also demonstrated that a combination of at least 2 proteins protects against colonization.

For example, candidate proteins were first evaluated using a combination vaccine comprising at least three antigens that were most stimulatory in the splenocyte stimulations (FIG. 3). When the whole blood of immunized animals was stimulated with the whole cell antigen the immunogenicity of this combination vaccine comprising antigens SPN0435 (SEQ ID NO: 44), SPN1534 (SEQ ID NO: 28 and 29), and SPN 2070 (SEQ ID NO: 10 and 11), where the combination of such antigens is referred to as “CHB” was robust (see FIG. 4A). Extensive experience with WCV studies have indicated that post-immunization IL-17A values of 250 μg/ml in whole blood stimulated with whole cell antigen correlate well with protection from colonization (Lu et al., 2008). Animals immunized with the combination vaccine indeed were completely protected from colonization, and the combination vaccine was as protective as the WCV (see FIG. 4B).

Additionally, individual purified protein pneumococcal antigens as disclosed in Table 1 also provided protection in a colonization model. Having shown that a combination of at least three of these pneumococcal antigen proteins protected animals from colonization, identifying the individual proteins which contributed most to this protective capacity was explored. Using each of the proteins contained within the combination, plus an additional protein that was stimulatory in the splenocyte assay (SPN0862), animals were immunized with vaccines comprised of single proteins with cholera toxin (CT). As shown in FIG. 5, SPN2070 (SEQ ID NO: 10; SEQ ID NO: 11) was highly protective, essentially as protective as WCV. Additionally, SPN1534 (SEQ ID NO: 28 and 29) and SPN0862 (SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9) conferred statistically significant reduction in colonization as compared with cholera toxin-immunized controls. Animals immunized with SPN2092 (SEQ ID NO: 37) were not protected, validating the methods used to identify and predict those proteins, chosen from a larger pool of proteins that would be immunogenic and protective.

The novel antigens described here, namely SPN2070 (SEQ ID NO: 10; SEQ ID NO: 11), SPN1534 (SEQ ID NO: 28 and 29), and SPN0862 (SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9), and SPN0435 (SEQ ID NO: 44) demonstrate the utility of the method and provide new vaccine candidates. It has been previously reported that SPN2070 might be used as a vaccine antigen, however it was previously unknown that this protein could elicit a T-cell specific response. Additionally, the remaining proteins such as SPN1534, and SPN0862 and SPN0435 as well as other listed in Table 1 which have never before been described as possible antigens for a pneumococcal vaccine. Thus, the method presented here has approached a well-studied pathogenic bacteria and been able to identify proteins previously unknown to elicit immune-cell-specific antigenic response.

In some embodiments, a vaccine can comprise SPN2070 antigen of SEQ ID NO: 10; SEQ ID NO: 11 or a portion or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, a vaccine can comprise a combination of at least two immunogens, such as SPN1534 and SPN0862, or a functional fragment or portion or protein with substantial identity thereof. In some embodiments, a vaccine can comprise any combination or one or more of SPN2070, SPN1534 and SPN0862 immunogens, or all three immunogens together, as disclosed in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, a vaccine comprises a combination of at least two immunogens, such as SPN1534 and SPN0862, or functional fragments or proteins with substantial identity to SPN1534 and SPN0862 alone, or in combination with one or more adjuvants and/or vaccine scaffolds, such as a polypeptide scaffold. In some embodiments, a vaccine can comprise any combination or one or more of SPN2070, SPN1534 and SPN0862, or all three immunogens SPN2070, SPN1534 and SPN0862 together, or functional fragments or proteins with substantial identity to SPN2070, SPN1534 and SPN086 alone, or in combination with one or more adjuvants (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B) and/or in combination with a vaccine scaffold for a multivarient vaccine approach.

In some embodiments, the vaccine can comprise one or any combination of immunogens of the proteins listed in Table 2, or their functional fragments, alone, or in combination with an adjuvant and/or a vaccine scaffold to produce a multivalent vaccine.

Table2 lists the amino acid sequence identification numbers of the pneumococcal immunogens.

SEQ TIGR4 ID Antigen GI number NO: Proposed function Stimulatory eluate 6 (3/11 and 3/18 eluates submitted) SP0499 57014092 1 Phosphoglycerate kinase 46576835 2 SP1128 122278628 3 Phosphopyruvate hydratase (enolase) 29839238 4 SP1489 57015312 5 Translation elongation factor Tu 54040967 6 26006962 7 SP0862 149021729 8 30S ribosomal protein S1 157149853 9 SP2070 31076701 10 glucose-6-phosphate isomerase 157149825 11 116248080 12 SP1666 149021240 13 cell division protein FtsZ 157150730 14 SP1508 118573765 15 ATP synthase subunit B 157151073 16 SP0375 157150360 17 6-phospho-gluconate dehydrogenase SP0281 116516913 18 Amino-peptidase Stimulatory elutate 10 SP1572 149022042 19 non-heme iron-containing ferritin SP1297 149019295 20 flavodoxin SP0225 81775698 21 50s ribosomal protein SP0221 50401285 22 50s ribosomal protein SP2007 157150102 23 Transcription anti-termination factor NusG 149020768 24 SP1540 73919454 25 single-strand DNA-binding protein SP1583 149022052 26 isochorismatase family protein Stumulatory elute 8 SP 0605 61218411 27 Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase SP1534 54041722 28 putative manganese-dependent inorganic 73921762 29 pyrophosphatase SP2012 157151535 30 glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate 81175319 31 dehydrogenase SP2215 61215772 32 30S ribosomal protein S2 SP1458 149019403 33 thioredoxin reductase SP1735 33516864 34 methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase SP0946 149019536 35 hypothetical protein SP1220 118601094 36 L-lactate dehydrogenase SP2092 81170781 37 UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyl transferase SP2210 149020129 38 cysteine synthase Stimulatory elutate 9 SP1415 15901269 39 N-acetylgluco-samine-6-phosphate isomerase SP1574 15901416 40 triosephosphate isomerase SP0421 15900340 41 3-ketoacyl-(acyl-carrier-protein) reductase SP1655 15901490 42 Phosphoglyceromutase SP0516 15900430 43 heat shock protein GrpE SP0435 15900353 44 elongation factor P SP1733 15901565 45 phosphatase, putative SP1572 15901415 46 non-heme iron-containing ferritin SP0427 15900346 47 acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha subunit SP0945 15900824 48 ribosome releasing factor SP0215 15900151 49 30S ribosomal protein S3 SP1776 15901605 50 thioredoxin

In some embodiments, the vaccine can comprise at least one immunogen of the sequences listed in Table 2, or an immunogen which is a functional fragment or has substantial identity to an immunogen listed in Table 1 or 2.

The terms “homology”, “identity” and “similarity” refer to the degree of sequence similarity between two peptides or between two optimally aligned nucleic acid molecules. Homology and identity can each be determined by comparing a position in each sequence which can be aligned for purposes of comparison. For example, it is based upon using a standard homology software in the default position, such as BLAST, version 2.2.14. When an equivalent position in the compared sequences is occupied by the same base or amino acid, then the molecules are identical at that position; when the equivalent site occupied by similar amino acid residues (e.g., similar in steric and/or electronic nature such as, for example conservative amino acid substitutions), then the molecules can be referred to as homologous (similar) at that position. Expression as a percentage of homology/similarity or identity refers to a function of the number of similar or identical amino acids at positions shared by the compared sequences, respectively. A sequence which is “unrelated” or “non-homologous” shares less than 40% identity, though preferably less than 25% identity with the sequences as disclosed herein.

The term “substantial identity” as used herein denotes a characteristic of a polynucleotide or amino acid sequence, wherein the polynucleotide or amino acid comprises a sequence that has at least 85% sequence identity, preferably at least 90% to 95% sequence identity, more usually at least 99% sequence identity as compared to a reference sequence over a comparison window of at least 18 nucleotide (6 amino acid) positions, frequently over a window of at least 24-48 nucleotide (8-16 amino acid) positions, wherein the percentage of sequence identity is calculated by comparing the reference sequence to the sequence which can include deletions or additions which total 20 percent or less of the reference sequence over the comparison window. The reference sequence can be a subset of a larger sequence. The term “similarity”, when used to describe a polypeptide, is determined by comparing the amino acid sequence and the conserved amino acid substitutes of one polypeptide to the sequence of a second polypeptide.

As used herein, the terms “homologous” or “homologues” are used interchangeably, and when used to describe a polynucleotide or polypeptide, indicates that two polynucleotides or polypeptides, or designated sequences thereof, when optimally aligned and compared, for example using BLAST, version 2.2.14 with default parameters for an alignment (see herein) are identical, with appropriate nucleotide insertions or deletions or amino-acid insertions or deletions, in at least 60% of the nucleotides, usually from about 75% to 99%, and more preferably at least about 98 to 99% of the nucleotides. The term “homolog” or “homologous” as used herein also refers to homology with respect to structure and/or function. With respect to sequence homology, sequences are homologs if they are at least 60 at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% identical, at least 97% identical, or at least 99% identical. Determination of homologs of the genes or peptides of the present invention can be easily ascertained by the skilled artisan.

In some cases, it there may be advantages to designing vaccines based on antigens that are “surface-expressed” rather than cytoplasmic. Annotated genomes often describes protein location based on homology with other identified proteins, but this may be an imperfect or often incorrect approach, as homologous proteins form two different organisms may not necessarily be located at the same site (nor have the same function) in both. Thus, an additional tool for determination of the location of the protein (surface versus other) may be very helpful and may also be used in the chloroform method described herein.

An embodiment of the present method comprises identifying a protein, “X” of interest, then removing the gene encoding for X from the organism, then replacing that gene with a gene encoding for a tagged version of the X protein (e.g., tagged with His, HA, OVA peptide, among others), which can be detected readily with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. After confirmation of the genetic construct, the organism is then grown, stained with an antibody that recognizes the tag (and is also fused to a fluorophore). Flow cytometry is then used to evaluate whether the antibodies are attached to the surface of the organism, in which case, the antigen can be deduced to be surface-expressed. Similar strategies using antibodies attached to magnetic beads can be used as well. For pneumococcus, for example, the organism can be evaluated in its encapsulated or unencapsulated form. An antigen can be surface expressed, but hidden under the capsule, for selection of antigen purposes, it may be advantageous to select an antigen that is both surface expressed and accessible despite capsulation.

The identified immunogenic proteins or mixtures thereof may be used in a multivalent or individual vaccine, which can be administered in many forms (intramuscularly, subcutaneously, mucosally, transdermally). For example, combinations or permutations of the twelve pneumococcal immunogens may be more efficacious against colonization versus disease. A combination of several immunogens with both characteristics may provide a superior vaccine.

Immunogenic compositions may contain adjuvants. As shown herein, cholera toxin (CT) was used as an adjuvant for intranasal administration, resulting in protection from pneumococcal colonization. Alum is an affective adjuvant for subcutaneous injection. Adjuvants are typically a heterogeneous group of substances that enhance the immunological response against an antigen that is administered simultaneously. In some instances, adjuvants are added to a vaccine to improve the immune response so that less vaccine is needed. Adjuvants serve to bring the antigen—the substance that stimulates the specific protective immune response—into contact with the immune system and influence the type of immunity produced, as well as the quality of the immune response (magnitude or duration). Adjuvants can also decrease the toxicity of certain antigens and provide solubility to some vaccine components. Almost all adjuvants used today for enhancement of the immune response against antigens are particles or form particles together with the antigen. In the book “Vaccine Design—the subunit and adjuvant approach” (Ed: Powell & Newman, Plenum Press, 1995) almost all known adjuvants are described both regarding their immunological activity and regarding their chemical characteristics. The type of adjuvants that do not form particles are a group of substances that act as immunological signal substances and that under normal conditions consist of the substances that are formed by the immune system as a consequence of the immunological activation after administration of particulate adjuvant systems.

Adjuvants for vaccines are well known in the art. Suitable additional adjuvants include, but are not limited to: complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), saponin, mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyaninons, peptides, oil or hydrocarbon emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanins, dinitrophenol, and potentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum. Selection of an adjuvant depends on the animal subject to be vaccinated. Additional examples include, but are not limited to, monoglycerides and fatty acids (e. g. a mixture of mono-olein, oleic acid, and soybean oil); mineral salts, e.g., aluminium hydroxide and aluminium or calcium phosphate gels; oil emulsions and surfactant based formulations, e.g., MF59 (microfluidised detergent stabilised oil-in-water emulsion), QS21 (purified saponin), AS02 [SBAS2] (oil-in-water emulsion+MPL+QS-21), Montanide ISA-51 and ISA-720 (stabilised water-in-oil emulsion); particulate adjuvants, e.g., virosomes (unilamellar liposomal vehicles incorporating influenza haemagglutinin), AS04 ([SBAS4] Al salt with MPL), ISCOMS (structured complex of saponins and lipids), polylactide co-glycolide (PLG); microbial derivatives (natural and synthetic), e.g., monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), Detox (MPL+M. Phlei cell wall skeleton), AGP [RC-529] (synthetic acylated monosaccharide), DC_Chol (lipoidal immunostimulators able to self organize into liposomes), OM-174 (lipid A derivative), CpG motifs (synthetic oligonucleotides containing immunostimulatory CpG motifs), modified LT and CT (genetically modified bacterial toxins to provide non-toxic adjuvant effects); endogenous human immunomodulators, e.g., hGM-CSF or hIL-12 (cytokines that can be administered either as protein or plasmid encoded), Immudaptin (C3d tandem array) and inert vehicles, such as gold particles. Newer adjuvants are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,890,540, United States Patent Application No. 20050244420, and PCT/SE97/01003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The adjuvant can also be selected from the group consisting of QS-21, Detox-PC, MPL-SE, MoGM-CSF, TiterMax-G, CRL-1005, GERBU, TERamide, PSC97B, Adjumer, PG-026, GSK-I, GcMAF, B-alethine, MPC-026, Adjuvax, CpG ODN, Betafectin, Alum, and MF59.

In some embodiments, alternative adjuvants can be used, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. For example, oils or hydrocarbon emulsion adjuvants should not be used for human vaccination. One example of an adjuvant suitable for use with humans is alum (alumina gel). Details of common adjuvants which are contemplated to be added to the vaccine comprising immunogens as disclosed in Table 1 include those discussed below:

Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA): A mineral oil adjuvant; uses a water-in-oil emulsion which is primarily oil. For many years the adjuvant of choice was complete Freund's adjuvant. This adjuvant, while potent immunogenically, also has had a significant history of frequently producing abscesses, granulomas and tissue sloughs. It contains paraffin oil, killed mycobacteria and mannide monoosleate. The paraffin oil is not metabolized; it is either expressed through the skin (via a granuloma or abscess) or phagocytized by macrophages. Multiple exposures to CFA will cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. Accidental exposure of personnel to CFA can result in sensitization to tuberculin.

Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA): Also a mineral oil adjuvant. Composition similar to CFA but does not contain the killed mycobacteria so does not produce as severe reactions. Used for the booster immunizations following the initial injection with antigen-CFA. IFA can be used for initial injection if the antigen is strongly immunogenic.

Montanide ISA (Incomplete Seppic Adjuvant): A mineral oil adjuvant. Uses mannide oleate as the major surfactant component. The antibody response is generally similar to that with IFA. Montanide ISA may have a lessened inflammatory response.

Ribi Adjuvant System (RAS): An oil-in-water emulsion that contains detoxified endotoxin and mycobacterial cell wall components in 2% squalene. Multiple formulations are commercially available, dependent on use. Is an alternative to CFA. Lower viscosity than CFA. Results (titers) often comparable to those with CFA. The squalene oil is metabolizable. RAS has a lower incidence of toxic reactions.

TiterMax: Another water-in-oil emulsion, this preparation combines a synthetic adjuvant and microparticulate silica with the metabolizable oil squalene. The copolymer is the immunomodulator component. Antigen is bound to the copolymer and presented to the immune cells in a highly concentrated form. Less toxicity than CFA. TiterMax usually produces the same results as CFA.

Syntex Adjuvant Formulation (SAF): A preformed oil-in-water emulsion. Uses a block copolymer for a surfactant. A muramyl dipeptide derivative is the immunostimulatory component. All in squalene, a metabolizable oil. SAF can bias the humoral response to IgG2a in the mouse, but is less toxic than CFA.

Aluminum Salt Adjuvants: Most frequently used as adjuvants for vaccine antigen delivery. Generally weaker adjuvants than emulsion adjuvants. Aluminum Salt Adjuvants are best used with strongly immunogenic antigens, but result generally in mild inflammatory reactions.

Nitrocellulose-adsorbed antigen: The nitrocellulose is basically inert, leading to almost no inflammatory response. Slow degradation of nitrocellulose paper allows prolonged release of antigen. Does not produce as dramatic an antibody response as CFA. Nitrocellulose-adsorbed antigen is good for use if only a small amount of antigen can be recovered from a gel band, e.g., for animal immunization.

Encapsulated or entrapped antigens: Permits prolonged release of antigen over time; can also have immunostimulators in preparation for prolonged release. Preparation of encapsulated or entrapped antigens is complex.

Immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs): Antigen modified saponin/cholesterol micelles. Stable structures are formed which rapidly migrate to draining lymph nodes. Both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses are achieved. Low toxicity; ISCOMs can elicit significant antibody response. Quil A is one example, QS-21 is another.

GerbuR adjuvant: An aqueous phase adjuvant which uses immunostimulators in combination with zinc proline. GerbuR does not have a depot effect and has minimal inflammatory effect. GerbuR requires frequent boosting to maintain high titers.

Another group of adjuvants include immune stimulators such as cytokines IL-12, IL-4 and costimulatory molecules such as B7. A wide range of molecules having immune stimulating effects are known including accessory molecules such as ICAM and LFA. In some embodiments, GM-CSF is administered to the patient before the initial immune administration. GM-CSF can be administered using a viral vector or an isolated protein in a pharmaceutical formulation. Combinations of adjuvants can be used such as CM-CSF, I CAM and LFA. While a strong immune response is typically generated to infectious disease antigens, tumor associated antigens typically generate a weaker immune response. Thus, immune stimulators such as described above are preferably used with them.

Ongoing studies assess immunogenicity in outbred animal strains, and characterize the efficacy of these proteins in protecting against invasive disease in aspiration/sepsis models. In some embodiments, one can test the ability of an immunogen or vaccine composition to elicit an immune response in vivo, by measuring a CMI response to the target antigen. CMI assays are known in the art and described, for example, in United States Patent Application 2005/0014205, WO/1987/005400, U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,698 and commercially available kits such as IMMUNKNOW® CYLEX Immune cell function assay Product No. 4400, which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein for use in the present invention.

In one embodiment, a vaccine compositions described herein comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another embodiment, the vaccine composition described herein is formulated for administering to a mammal. Suitable formulations can be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th and 18th Eds., Mack Publishing, Easton, Pa. (1980 and 1990), and Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, 4th Edition, Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia (1985), each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, a vaccine compositions as described herein comprise pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that are inherently nontoxic and nontherapeutic. Examples of such carriers include ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, serum proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts, or electrolytes such as protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based substances, and polyethylene glycol. For all administrations, conventional depot forms are suitably used. Such forms include, for example, microcapsules, nano-capsules, liposomes, plasters, inhalation forms, nose sprays, sublingual tablets, and sustained release preparations. For examples of sustained release compositions, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,773,919, 3,887,699, EP 58,481A, EP 158,277A, Canadian Patent No. 1176565; U. Sidman et al., Biopolymers 22:547 (1983) and R. Langer et al., Chem. Tech. 12:98 (1982). The proteins will usually be formulated at a concentration of about 0.1 mg/ml to 100 mg/ml per application per patient.

In one embodiment, other ingredients can be added to vaccine formulations, including antioxidants, e.g., ascorbic acid; low molecular weight (less than about ten residues) polypeptides, e.g., polyarginine or tripeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids, such as glycine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, or arginine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including cellulose or its derivatives, glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; and sugar alcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol.

In one embodiment, a vaccine composition as described herein for administration must be sterile. Sterility is readily accomplished by filtration through sterile filtration membranes (e.g., 0.2 micron membranes).

In some embodiments, a vaccine composition as described herein further comprises pharmaceutical excipients including, but not limited to biocompatible oils, physiological saline solutions, preservatives, carbohydrate, protein, amino acids, osmotic pressure controlling agents, carrier gases, pH-controlling agents, organic solvents, hydrophobic agents, enzyme inhibitors, water absorbing polymers, surfactants, absorption promoters and anti-oxidative agents. Representative examples of carbohydrates include soluble sugars such as hydropropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium carboxyl cellulose, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, alginate, glucose, xylose, galactose, fructose, maltose, saccharose, dextran, chondroitin sulfate, etc. Representative examples of proteins include albumin, gelatin, etc. Representative examples of amino acids include glycine, alanine, glutamic acid, arginine, lysine, and their salts.

In some embodiments, the immunogens as described herein can be solubilized in water, a solvent such as methanol, or a buffer. Suitable buffers include, but are not limited to, phosphate buffered saline Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ free (PBS), normal saline (150 mM NaCl in water), and Tris buffer. Antigen not soluble in neutral buffer can be solubilized in 10 mM acetic acid and then diluted to the desired volume with a neutral buffer such as PBS. In the case of antigen soluble only at acid pH, acetate-PBS at acid pH may be used as a diluent after solubilization in dilute acetic acid. Glycerol can be a suitable non-aqueous buffer for use in the present invention.

If the immunogen as disclosed herein is not soluble per se, the immunogen can be present in the formulation in a suspension or even as an aggregate. In some embodiments, hydrophobic antigen can be solubilized in a detergent, for example a polypeptide containing a membrane-spanning domain. Furthermore, for formulations containing liposomes, an antigen in a detergent solution (e.g., a cell membrane extract) may be mixed with lipids, and liposomes then may be formed by removal of the detergent by dilution, dialysis, or column chromatography.

In some embodiments, a vaccine composition is administered in combination with other therapeutic ingredients including, e.g., γ-interferon, cytokines, chemotherapeutic agents, or anti-inflammatory or anti-viral agents.

In some embodiments, a vaccine composition is administered in a pure or substantially pure form, but it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical composition, formulation or preparation. Such formulation comprises polypeptides described herein together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and optionally other therapeutic ingredients. Other therapeutic ingredients include compounds that enhance antigen presentation, e.g., gamma interferon, cytokines, chemotherapeutic agents, or anti-inflammatory agents. The formulations can conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by methods well known in the pharmaceutical art. For example, Plotkin and Mortimer (In ‘Vaccines’, 1994, W.B. Saunders Company; 2nd edition) describes vaccination of animals or humans to induce an immune response specific for particular pathogens, as well as methods of preparing antigen, determining a suitable dose of antigen, and assaying for induction of an immune response.

In some embodiments, a vaccine composition as described herein further comprises an adjuvant, as described herein.

Formulations of vaccine compositions suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, intranasal, oral, subcutaneous, or intraperitoneal administration conveniently comprise sterile aqueous solutions of the active ingredient with solutions which are preferably isotonic with the blood of the recipient. Such formulations may be conveniently prepared by dissolving solid active ingredient in water containing physiologically compatible substances such as sodium chloride (e.g., 0.1-2.0 M), glycine, and the like, and having a buffered pH compatible with physiological conditions to produce an aqueous solution, and rendering the solution sterile. These may be present in unit or multi-dose containers, for example, sealed ampoules or vials.

Liposomal suspensions can also be used as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. These can be prepared according to methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,811.

Formulations for an intranasal delivery are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,427,782, 5,843,451 and 6,398,774, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. Other means of mucosal administration are also encompassed herein.

The formulations of a vaccine composition as disclosed herein can also incorporate a stabilizer. Illustrative stabilizers are polyethylene glycol, proteins, saccharide, amino acids, inorganic acids, and organic acids which may be used either on their own or as admixtures. Two or more stabilizers may be used in aqueous solutions at the appropriate concentration and/or pH. The specific osmotic pressure in such aqueous solution is generally in the range of 0.1-3.0 osmoses, preferably in the range of 0.80-1.2. The pH of the aqueous solution is adjusted to be within the range of 5.0-9.0, preferably within the range of 6-8.

When oral preparations are desired, a vaccine composition can be combined with typical carriers, such as lactose, sucrose, starch, talc magnesium stearate, crystalline cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, glycerin, sodium alginate or gum arabic among others.

A method of immunization or vaccinating a mammal against pneumococcal infections comprises administering a vaccine composition described herein.

In some embodiments, the vaccine compositions described herein can be administered intravenously, intranasally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, infraperitoneally or orally. A preferred route of administration is intranasal or by other mucosal route.

Vaccination can be conducted by conventional methods. For example, an immunogen as polypeptide as disclosed in Table 1 can be used in a suitable diluent such as saline or water, and optionally with complete or incomplete adjuvants. The vaccine can be administered by any route appropriate for eliciting an immune response. The vaccine can be administered once or at periodic intervals until an immune response is elicited. Immune responses can be detected by a variety of methods known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to, antibody production, cytotoxicity assay, proliferation assay and cytokine release assays. For example, samples of blood can be drawn from the immunized mammal, and analyzed for the presence of antibodies against the immungen protein used in the vaccination by ELISA and the titer of these antibodies can be determined by methods known in the art.

The precise dose to be employed in the formulation will also depend on the route of administration and should be decided according to the judgment of the practitioner and each patient's circumstances. For example, a range of 25 μg-900 μg total immunogen protein can be administered intradermally, monthly for 3 months.

Ultimately, the attending physician will decide the amount of protein or vaccine composition to administer to particular individuals.

Alternatively, such proteins or immunogen mixtures may be useful in diagnostics.

Examples Example 1 Pneumococcal Immunogens

Protein Isolation

Initial efforts to isolate these proteins via gel filtration of the WCC supernatant did not yield discrete enough separation of proteins. Ultimately, preparative SDS gel transverse elution of the WCC supernatant improved separation of the proteins. WCC supernatant with SDS buffer was loaded into 10 wells of a precast 4%-12% Bis/Tris SDS gel with −100 μg protein/lane and run at 200V over 30 min in MES-SDS buffer. This gel was equilibrated in 2 mM phosphate buffer for 20 mm in fresh buffer three times to minimize SDS. The equilibrated gel was cut to size to fit the BioRad Mini Gel Eluter apparatus. Proteins were transversely eluted through the thickness of the gel with 90 mA of current for 20 min. Eluates were collected into the elution chambers beneath the gel and harvested by vacuum apparatus. This method yielded fourteen eluates with one or two protein bands per eluate. The proteins within each eluate were visualized on silver stained SDS gel; bands within each eluate were reproducible from elution to elution; eluates were combined for further use.

Protein Identification

Eluates were used as stimuli on splenocytes from C57Bl/6 mice immunized with WCC to determine which eluates contained proteins capable of eliciting IL-17A production. Mice (n=10) were immunized intranasally with WCC one week apart. Three weeks following their second immunization, spleens were harvested and processed into a cell suspension in DMEM with L-glutamine/10% FCS/2ME/cipro. The protein concentration within each eluate was determined by quantitative BCA assay; eluates were used as stimuli with each stimulus normalized to the lowest concentration among the eluates. Supernatants were harvested after six days and assayed for IL-17A by ELISA (R&D Biosciences). We then submitted the predominant band or bands from the most stimulatory eluates for mass spectroscopic analysis.

Protein Expression and Purification

Antigens were selected from the compiled mass spectroscopy data based on clinical safety criteria such as lack of human homology and conservation across sequenced pneumococcal strains.

Selected antigens (n=12) were cloned into competent E. coli cells for expression using the pQE-30 plasmid vector incorporating a 6×-histidine (his) tag. Transformed E. coli colonies were sequenced for the protein of interest; transformants containing successfully cloned proteins were grown and induced for protein expression using IPTG. After overnight incubation allowing expression, transformants were spun down and pellets were lysed by sonication. The proteins of interest were purified from the lysed cell supernatant over a column using agarose-Ni beads to bind the His-tag; proteins were eluted in imidazole buffer after careful washing of the column. Protein-containing elutions were further purified over a desalting column prior to use in cellular stimulation assays.

Assessing Immunogenicity of Purified Proteins

In an effort to prioritize which of the twelve purified proteins for test vaccines in animal models, each protein's immunogenicity was assessed in the splenocyte stimulation assay performed similarly to the assay described above used to identify which eluates contained stimulatory proteins.

Splenocytes from a separate cohort of ten WCC-immunized C57Bl/6 animals were stimulated with 10 μg/ml of each of the twelve proteins.

Assessing the Protective Capacity of Purified Proteins Against Colonization

In the first immunization experiment, C57Bl/6 mice (n=10 per group) were immunized intranasally twice one week apart with a combination of the three most stimulatory proteins (SPN0435, SPN1534, and SPN2070). The combination vaccine contained 4 μg of each protein per vaccine dose. Vaccines were prepared with cholera toxin (CT) adjuvant. Control cohorts were immunized with WCV and CT or CT alone. Three weeks following their 2nd immunization, animals were bled; whole blood was stimulated with the whole cell antigen and IL-17A was measured from the supernatant to assess immunogenicity. One week after being bled, animals were challenged intranasally with a live type 6B pneumococcal strain. One week after challenge, animals were sacrificed and nasal washes were obtained and cultured to assess density of colonization.

In the next immunization study, the three proteins contained within the combination were used individually as vaccines (FIG. 6). Another protein (SPN 0862), which elicited IL-17A in the splenocyte stimulation assay, was also tested. A group of animals immunized with a protein that had not been stimulatory in any of the cellular assays (SPN 2092) were included as a negative control. All proteins were further purified by gel filtration to remove any contaminants prior to use as individual vaccines.

REFERENCES

All references described herein are incorporated herein in their entirity by reference. 

1.-14. (canceled)
 15. An immunogenic composition comprising a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:44 or a functional fragment thereof and a polysaccharide.
 16. An immunogenic composition comprising a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:44 or a functional fragment thereof and an adjuvant.
 17. An immunogenic composition comprising a fusion protein comprising a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:44 or a functional fragment thereof.
 18. The immunogenic composition of claim 17, wherein the fusion protein further comprises a second protein antigen.
 19. The immunogenic composition of claim 18, wherein the second protein antigen is a pneumolysoid.
 20. The immunogenic composition of claim 15, wherein administration of the immunogenic composition to a mammal elicits an immune response in the mammal.
 21. The immunogenic composition of claim 20, wherein the immune response is a T cell response, a B cell response, or a combination thereof.
 22. The immunogenic composition of claim 21, wherein the T cell response is a Th17 cell response, CD4+ T cell response, CD8+ T cell response, or a combination thereof.
 23. The immunogenic composition of claim 17, wherein administration of the immunogenic composition to a mammal elicits an immune response in the mammal.
 24. The immunogenic composition of claim 23, wherein the immune response is a T cell response, a B cell response, or a combination thereof.
 25. The immunogenic composition of claim 24, wherein the T cell response is a Th17 cell response, CD4+ T cell response, CD8+ T cell response, or a combination thereof.
 26. The immunogenic composition of claim 19, wherein administration of the immunogenic composition to a mammal elicits an immune response in the mammal.
 27. The immunogenic composition of claim 26, wherein the immune response is a T cell response, a B cell response, or a combination thereof.
 28. The immunogenic composition of claim 27, wherein the T cell response is a Th17 cell response, CD4+ T cell response, CD8+ T cell response, or a combination thereof.
 29. A vaccine comprising the immunogenic composition of claim
 15. 30. A vaccine comprising the immunogenic composition of claim
 17. 31. A vaccine comprising the immunogenic composition of claim
 19. 32. A vaccine comprising the immunogenic composition of claim 17 and a polysaccharide.
 33. A vaccine comprising the immunogenic composition of claim 19 and a polysaccharide.
 34. A fusion protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:44 or a functional fragment thereof and a pneumolysoid. 